Hello evebody,

My car is a w203 sedan/saloon without a sunroof. I started my project of retrofitting an original factory sunroof. Roof panel completely removed and replaced with factory roof panel having the sunroof gap. No problem at all, the procedure was straight forward. I also have assembled the sunroof tray and glass without any problems.

Until yesterday everything was going according to the plan. I had made arrangements for today a sunroof shop to fit the four drain pipes (drains) trough A & C pillars. I went in the afternood to see if the job was done. To my complete surprise the fitter of the shop ignored my instructions to fit the pipes inside the pillars and drilled inside my car instead and passed the pipes from alternative routes. He claims that he could not pass the pipes through the pillars because of the foam inside the pillars. I was not happy at all seeing that he drilled my car at least in four places.

My question is the following. Is there a way to pass the pipes through the car pillars? I spent way too much money to retrofit an original sun roof to this car and do not like the fact having the drain pipes in a different place than they are supposed to be. Any help would be highly appreciated.

Also I would be grateful if someone can post some pictures/photos of where the drain pipes end underneath the car. I am not happy not being able to see them underneath the car. I can only see the water coming out under the door sills but I am almost sure this is not right. Please forum gurus advise me please! Please post some pictures urgently of the drain pipe ends under the car. I do not know anyone that has done this before to help me. It is a shame all the project to go waisted just because of a cowboy fitter trying to make his life easier by ruining my car!

 

I'm afraid that the sunroof shop is completley correct. I don't have a picture to back this up at the moment, the issue is this: There is a metal profile in the A and C pillars that has a shaped area in it where the drain tube would pass through. And, there is also expanding foam impregnated onto the metal profile. When the car passes through the bake oven, the foam expands, filling any voids. If the sunroof tube is present, no problem the foam goes around it. If it's not there, then the entire area is filled with foam.

Now, the exact problem is that the foam is inaccesable. If it was a straight shot, then maybe you could dig it out somehow, but there is such a tight fit between the profile and the tube that I don't know if it can be done.

In fact, I have been involved in some cases where the sunroof tube has been damaged inside the A pillar and has to be replaced. This is very difficult, but not as difficult as if the tube wasn't there in the first place.

I do have access to a 211 with the outer panels cut away, let me see if I can get a picture to give you an idea of what you are dealing with.

I don't mean to be negative, it's just that you have a very big challenge on your hands.

Mike

 

Thank you for the reply. If you can assist somehow would be great. This was an unprecedented problem that now I have to face it. What would you do if you were me? Just leave the pipes where the sunroof guy placed the pipes although I am not so happy not having them inside the pillars? Or should I still try to find a way to pass them though? Shame, everything else worked out fine. thank you in advance

 

MBTECH is correct.